Archaeology

A Dive into Europe’s Oldest Megastructure Discovered Beneath the Baltic Sea

In the depths of the Baltic Sea lies a groundbreaking discovery, Europe’s oldest megastructure, hidden away for thousands of years. This enigmatic stone wall, uncovered by Jacob Geersen and his team, challenges our understanding of prehistoric human capabilities and opens a new chapter in the history of early European architecture. In 2021, Jacob Geersen, a ...

Nathan Machoka

The Blinkerwall.

The ‘Devil Comet’ 12P/Pons-Brooks Has Finally Become Visible From Australia

If you’re a fan of all things space, you’ve doubtless heard about the “devil comet,” which has captivated keen-eyed observers in the northern hemisphere for the past few weeks. Now it’s our turn, as comet 12P/Pons-Brooks is creeping into view for the southern hemisphere. Before you get too excited, let me quash your hopes. Comet ...

Troy Oakes

The 'devil comet' moving through the night sky.

We Found 3 New Species of Extinct Giant Kangaroos

For millions of years, giant animals or megafauna, like giant kangaroos in Australia, roamed the lands that are now Australia and New Guinea. Many were like much larger versions of modern animals. There was a four-meter goanna called Megalania (Varanus priscus), for example, which likely ambushed its prey. This beast disappeared around 40,000 years ago, ...

Troy Oakes

A prehistoric landscape.

Rogue Waves in the Ocean Are Much More Common Than Anyone Suspected

We used three-dimensional imaging of ocean waves to capture freakish seas that produce a notorious phenomenon known as rogue waves. Our results are now published in Physical Review Letters. Rogue waves are giant colossi of the sea — twice as high as neighboring waves — that appear seemingly out of nowhere. Stories of unimaginable mountains ...

Troy Oakes

A rogue ocean wave.

We Saw One of the Most Powerful Magnets in the Universe Come to Life

After a decade of silence, one of the most powerful magnets in the universe suddenly burst back to life in late 2018. The reawakening of this “magnetar,” a city-sized star named XTE J1810-197, born from a supernova explosion, was an incredibly violent affair. The snapping and untwisting of the tangled magnetic field released enormous amounts ...

Troy Oakes

A magnetar.